The hidden truth

The Hidden Truth - By Ashma Khadka

She tip-toed her way to their room and her curiosity was growing with every little step. Lisa could hear faint voices but could not understand what it said. She slowly and quietly moved towards the source of the sound and her heart was burning with curiosity. She was very close now and could hear the voices properly than before. She pressed her ear to the doorknob, hoping she would hear something; anything.

"But what if she finds out" A raspy female voice said in a whisper from inside the door, afraid someone except Ryan would hear her.

"No. She will not. I won't let her find out." Ryan whispered back in his harsh voice.

Lisa could practically hear the worry in her mum's voice and the determination in her father's.

"How can you be so s-" started Mrs. O'Brien but was cut off by her husband.

"Shhhh, I think someone is outside." He was indeed a sharp man.

Afraid she might be caught, Lisa tip-toed her way back in her room, hoping she didn't leave any traces of herself.

Lisa O'Brien replayed the conversation in her mind again and again but she couldn't come up with a possible explanation as to who her parents were talking about. Still thinking, Lisa went down to eat breakfast.

"Good Morning, Lisa" Ryan said in a cheerful voice, and the teenager stared at her father, still in deep thought about the conversation she heard last night. It crossed her mind that she should ask her parents, but she was supposed to be grounded and locked in her room for two days, not sneaking around at night-time. She had managed to escape last night with the help of Isla, their maid. Isla and Lisa were very close and Lisa had managed to convince her to unlock the door.

"What would you like to eat, Lisa?" Isla asked. Her black hair looked like it was recently combed and her face looked different. It did not have the smile which was always plastered on her face. Her face was pale and emotionless. It almost looked scared.

"Oh, Good morning Isla" No reply. Just a nod. "I would like to have pancakes please" Lisa chirped.

Nodding once again, Isla left. Ryan was reading a newspaper, like always and Lisa noticed the absence of her mother.

"Where is mum, dad?" The girl inquired.

"To get the grocery, dear". He answered and went back to reading the newspaper. That's strange Lisa thought Mum never went grocery shopping. It is always Isla.

Lisa glanced at her father and again thought about the conversation she heard last night. She was pulled out of her thoughts by Isla, who had bought the pancakes and before Lisa could thank her, she walked out of the dining room, towards her own quarters. Did she just glance at dad? No, I am probably imagining things. Why would she-

"I am home!" The girl's thoughts were interrupted yet again, but this time by her mother.

"Hello mum, I heard you went to get the grocery?" piped up Lisa.

"Oh yes honey. Now, Ryan, you will never guess who I met today. I met your friend and he said......."

Lisa didn't pay attention to what her mother was saying. Mr. and Mrs. O'Brien were engaged in a talk about who-knows-what. She briefly looked at them and made her way to Isla's room. Her father was a doctor so they had a pretty nice house, with 5 rooms in it. Lisa reached the room's door and without knocking, she barged in. Isla's eyes widened and she tried to wipe her tear-streaked face. Lisa immediately embraced the maid, and tried her best to comfort her.